Up to Edgware

Up and off to see Mum this morning. During the journey I finished reading The Sunken Land Begins to Rise Again, by M. John Harrison which I think is a fine book highly enigmatic and haunting, and much of it set in my old stomping ground in West London. 

A bus from Mill Hill the short hop to Edgware, and such a beautiful day. I sat on the top deck, and felt a moment of unalloyed happiness looking at the children's drawing style puffy white clouds and deep blue sky. Feeling strangely free today.

I found mum in good spirits, having had a busy day yesterday. She has managed to sort out a call with the tax people to do her accounts next Tuesday. Also the woman who comes to clean a bit, and the gardeners came yesterday.

We drove off to the Waggon and Horses and had a chat with Paul at the bar, and some food. She asked about Gordon Road, and I told her what it was all about, and how it had been sparked in part by her remembering the name of the street, Gordon Road, where my paternal grandparents had lived. A good feed, and a couple of drinks, and we drove back to Mum's place, and I then pushed off for the long journey home.

Happy to be back and sitting outside in the cool breeze, and feeling quite happy.

Below the old bread oven in the fireplace at the Waggon.